Thornton-Riversale Road, Colorado

If this subject has been posted about previously, I apologize. Even a word search can miss things.

The Shadowlands web site has a section on Colorado hauntings with one claim in particular that has me stumped. Supposedly there is a long, curving stretch of rural road running mostly northeast of Denver and to Highway 7 in Brighton. The description says the road is supposed to be known for "angry and unpleasant spirit activity," possibly due to the long history of Native Americans, pioneers and abusive farm servitude. I've asked around and even people who have lived in Colorado all their lives say they never heard of it. Anyone know anything more about this?

The description goes on to claim that near the northernmost end of the road, some miles south of Highway 7, there is an unusual neighborhood of uniformly high hills surrounding buildings believed to have belonged to a secretive cult in the 1980s. Again, I haven't been able to find out anything more about this area or the alleged cult.

No, I've just been busy, that's all, Carmina. I'm not personally familiar with the Highway 7 hauntings, though I have been down that stretch of road once or twice. You have to remember that postings on the theshadowlands.net are usually unverified by the owners of the web site, and they pretty much have to rely on what the submitter writes. A fatal traffic accident on a lonesome stretch of road can slowly evolve into an area plagued with "angry and unpleasant spirit activity" over time, so it's best to do a little research on any unsubstantiated haunting.

But that doesn't mean that there isn't some truth behind all this! Check the local newspapers and see if there is anything in their files (commonly called "the morgue") about strange happenings over the years, or see if you get access to local police blotters. Heck, my sister lives right up the road in Windsor, so I might have to take you up on your road trip offer!

BTW - I couldn't find a "Riversale Rd" in Thornton. Did you mean to type "Riverdale"? If so, I'll edit your post.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit -- Nelson Henderson

My curiosity got the best of me, so I had to do a quick Google search to see what I could find anything. First of all, I found this same story repeated over and over on the Web:

Riverdale Rd is a very long strip of dirt road that is very dark. It is said that it was all farmland in the 17001800`s. This is a location of slavery abuse, witchcraft and hangings. There is a small turn off road at about 132nd where the cornfields are high and the oil mills are silent. When you park your car on this gravel road and turn the car off and roll your windows down, you can hear the pace of someone running down this road and passing your car. You can also feel a presence there that makes you want to hide. If you listen carefully you can also hear the sound of screams and a faint heart beat that slowly gets louder and louder until you feel the need to cover your ears. You can only take so much of this before you have to turn the car on and take off! Don`t ever go alone. Also, when driving down Riverdale road, there has been sightings of a women dressed in white waiting at the side of the road, if you pull up to her it is said that she walks to your car but disappears before getting in

The first thing I noticed was the time period listed there. The Denver area wasn't populated by whites until around the 1850s, and even then, Colorado was a free state, so it would not have been legal to own slaves.

I then found a myspace blog page for a ghost hunter named Casper who had these comments about the Riverdale Road Hauntings:

Riverdale RD-Thornton Colorado

Tonight we also decided to take a trip down to Riverdale RD. Which was believed to be very haunted. Due to slavery, abuse, witchcraft and hangings. We drove for the longest time to find where we were supposed to be on Riverdale RD but unfortunatly to say everything that was supposed to be there was more than likely just an urban legend.

I did find that there is a really neat corn maze there on Riverdale Road. Perhaps there is some basis in fact that the owners of the corn maze might know about--or many they're just trying to make a few bucks based on the area's notoriety. Who knows?

Earth_spirit, you're so good at finding information! Lol. I think search engines hate me. I agree, it doesn't make much sense. Hangings I could believe, but witchcraft and slavery seem out there to me.

If it was closer to the Springs, I could probably get police blotter info for you since one of our group members is a cop, but I don't think the departments in Denver share info with other departments this far south. I'll ask him though and see.

I agree, spring would probably be best. We're having trouble right now getting our help on another case here in the Springs to the location we need. The roads aren't well-maintained plus they close the road down most of the time right now. We may be interested in joining the road trip, depending on what we've got going on at the time. Wouldn't hurt to check it out.

I've emailed the owners of the corn maze, but have not yet heard from them. May try calling, but it looks like they simply shut down this time of year.

I'm pretty good at researching news and features articles, but I've found a whole lotta nuthin' about this area or any local cults from the 1980s -- or any other decade, for that matter! Looks like farmland and a golf course out there. Maybe the remains of some little ghost town or other.

Finally heard back from one of the operators of the cornfield maze. Nice lady, a real estate and insurance agent, who grew up in the area and runs the attraction every October with her brothers.

Says Riverdale Road is paved now, although the offshoots are still dirt. Says the scariest thing about it is traveling at night when it's raining or snowing as there are no lights and it's a curvy, seriously treacherous stretch when slippery.

From her high school days, doesn't know about any cult that ever lived in the area but knows the story of a mysterious farm surrounded by small hills. There are some smallish green hills, she says, just past the golf course. Hasn't been out there in years, but there is a dirt road that will lead to big old gates that the local kids call "The Gates of Hell."

The gates lead to a farm where if you trespass an irate farmer with a shotgun and his dogs will come after you.

My newspaper research has led to no stories about mysterious cults or paranormal occurrences reported by motorists -- so this story may be nothing more than rural legend.

BTW, the cornfield maze sounds like a hoot! By day, the 20-something acreage is family-oriented, with a petting zoo, pumpkin market, the maze, etc. By night, it becomes the "Haunted Field of Screams," with a path that takes visitors through elaborate "stations" in the cornfield where actors will do their best to scare the pants off ya, and even the maze takes on a whole different character. Runs almost every day in October until Halloween, here's the web site again: http://www.hauntedfieldofscreams.com/

It sounds like another urban legend gone wild. Of course, the stories are probably helping business at the corn maze, so why would anyone want to dispel stories of cults and or paranormal occurrences? LOL!

Also, if you drive onto any farm in America unannounced after dark, you're liable to get a butt full of buckshot, regardless of whether or not the house hides the "Gates of Hell"

Thanks for checking on that, Carmina

The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit -- Nelson Henderson

If this subject has been posted about previously, I apologize. Even a word search can miss things.

The Shadowlands web site has a section on Colorado hauntings with one claim in particular that has me stumped. Supposedly there is a long, curving stretch of rural road running mostly northeast of Denver and to Highway 7 in Brighton. The description says the road is supposed to be known for "angry and unpleasant spirit activity," possibly due to the long history of Native Americans, pioneers and abusive farm servitude. I've asked around and even people who have lived in Colorado all their lives say they never heard of it. Anyone know anything more about this?

The description goes on to claim that near the northernmost end of the road, some miles south of Highway 7, there is an unusual neighborhood of uniformly high hills surrounding buildings believed to have belonged to a secretive cult in the 1980s. Again, I haven't been able to find out anything more about this area or the alleged cult.

Anyone?

I've had lots of stories of this road in my family. My older cousin absolutely refuses to go on this road after an experience he had there when he was a teenager. Hes almost 30 years old now. Also, my friends just got back from there tonight (reason i found this site and this post! lol i was being nosey and trying to find more information for them) and they got some pictures of orbs. I haven't inspected the pictures myself yet, but they seem pretty sure they're orbs. They went the night before also and came back saying they had seen strange reflections and blood on signs. Even though some of this might have just been in their heads, I definately have never felt safe driving along this road, even during daylight.

I don't have any Real information on this road, only past experiences, but it's definately worth the trip out there if you can stand the uncomfortable feelings you may get lol. Also, the Corn Maze, I believe they started this field long after the stories. I think its fairly recent and it's a perfect spot for them to amke the maze seeing as most people in the area have heard the stories, plus its an awesome maze! went there last year, and oh my god they did their job lol. They have two mazes, one you start out in, its pretty much just a bunch of kids jumping out at you trying to startle you. but the Big maze... Is very creepy. Even if the road has no real history of hauntings.. It's still a great scenic ride and at night its a really pretty area.

If this subject has been posted about previously, I apologize. Even a word search can miss things.

The Shadowlands web site has a section on Colorado hauntings with one claim in particular that has me stumped. Supposedly there is a long, curving stretch of rural road running mostly northeast of Denver and to Highway 7 in Brighton. The description says the road is supposed to be known for "angry and unpleasant spirit activity," possibly due to the long history of Native Americans, pioneers and abusive farm servitude. I've asked around and even people who have lived in Colorado all their lives say they never heard of it. Anyone know anything more about this?

The description goes on to claim that near the northernmost end of the road, some miles south of Highway 7, there is an unusual neighborhood of uniformly high hills surrounding buildings believed to have belonged to a secretive cult in the 1980s. Again, I haven't been able to find out anything more about this area or the alleged cult.

Anyone?

Just registered, so sorry for the late reply...I live in Thornton currently, but was raised in Brighton....Riverdale Road and Brighton Road(just east of Riverdale) both have weird vibes due to the history....I myself have seen a lady dressed in white(of course at night) appearing to be be trying to catch a ride somewhere. It turns out, as the story goes, it's a lady dressed in her wedding gown trying to get to the wedding ceremony and was hit and killed by a car....I just so happened to be going down the road on the wedding date anniversary.

Hello, I am new to the site, but happened across it while searching for information on Riverdale Rd. I grew up just off of the road, and my dad now lives just beyond the Gates of Hell. I would appreciate any information that you all can find for me. We recently sold our house just off of the road, and while doing some repairs decided to pull up the carpet and replace it. Under the carpet we found drawings of demons (or devils) standing around a bed. This was drawn in ink under the carpet on the floor boards. I am well aware of and have experienced Riverdale Rd to the fullest, as has my family, and am not sure if this is in relation to that or not. However, due to the lack of information on the subject, I decided to reach out. I had many very dark experiences in the room with the drawings to include being taunted by strange noises, and would really like to know how much of what I experienced in the house was related to Riverdale Rd, and how much was related to the drawings, or if it is indeed all related! Does anyone know of this drawing or who/what would have done this?? Again, I would appreicate any help you can give me!

Finally heard back from one of the operators of the cornfield maze. Nice lady, a real estate and insurance agent, who grew up in the area and runs the attraction every October with her brothers.

Says Riverdale Road is paved now, although the offshoots are still dirt. Says the scariest thing about it is traveling at night when it's raining or snowing as there are no lights and it's a curvy, seriously treacherous stretch when slippery.

From her high school days, doesn't know about any cult that ever lived in the area but knows the story of a mysterious farm surrounded by small hills. There are some smallish green hills, she says, just past the golf course. Hasn't been out there in years, but there is a dirt road that will lead to big old gates that the local kids call "The Gates of Hell."

The gates lead to a farm where if you trespass an irate farmer with a shotgun and his dogs will come after you.

My newspaper research has led to no stories about mysterious cults or paranormal occurrences reported by motorists -- so this story may be nothing more than rural legend.

BTW, the cornfield maze sounds like a hoot! By day, the 20-something acreage is family-oriented, with a petting zoo, pumpkin market, the maze, etc. By night, it becomes the "Haunted Field of Screams," with a path that takes visitors through elaborate "stations" in the cornfield where actors will do their best to scare the pants off ya, and even the maze takes on a whole different character. Runs almost every day in October until Halloween, here's the web site again: http://www.hauntedfieldofscreams.com/

Hello there I am pretty new to this site. And I have have lived in Colorado all my life. Of course I have friends that have been to a lot of places that are urban legend. I will tell you that everytime I drive that stretch I have this feeling of dread and the need to turn around and take another route. I am some what of a sensitive and Riverdale tends to give me the most heebie jeebies. I have drove the road many times with friends to see wether most of the stuff is true and on one particular night when we can to the end of the road near hwy 7 we saw an old cop cruiser, you know the old light blue jeep cherokee's they used to use?...when we looked back it was gone. Being a resident in that area I know that they don't use those anymore, they have black and white cars. It had the light rack and everything.

Also as far as I know from what my friends tell me, Hell's Gates is gaurded by the hounds of hell. Supposedly when you get out of the car and walk towards the gates of the house you can hear the barking of the dogs, you are supposed to see them coming toward you and they disappear once you get into your car. The one you are talking about is what we refer to as the Chicken Coop it is another one that is haunted....at least that's what I think....I might have the two confused. lol.

I live a short 5 minute walk from riverdale rd. Now I have heard all the stories that revolve around that street.

The woman in white, the indian killing the descendants of the people who harmed his tribe/family, the ghost cop, the ghost racers, blood on the signs, some one hanging from the tree (i think its the tree thats 4th or 5th down on the right hand side as you turn on to riverdale from 104th but dont quote me), the gates of hell, the ritual ground near the oil rigs, ummmm tons of other stuff too.

I have seen the ghost cop myself. It was a jeep thats why it struck me as odd. There are 3 other people that were with me at the time. We visited the site of the gates of hell. We heard dogs barking. Seemed like it was coming from right in front of the car. But we didnt see any dogs. Never saw the white lady or the native american. I guess we found the site where the car went off the road during a drag race. We went to walk over a small little pipe. Friend of mine was pushed off the pipe. Well then we all went over the pipe one by one. Each of us feeling a little push as we went across it.

I guess more recently a kid on a go cart died on riverdale.

I was a skeptic till we were going home. I did feel odd on the street. Wanted to go home as soon as we turned on the street. Well on our way home just a bit north of the golf course i said "I dont beleive in ghosts." Well as a way of saying we are here and you better beleive us.

A white bird hit the windshield not even a second after i got the word ghosts out of my mouth. Scared the crap out of me.

Well I have gone back to try and find some of the old places i visited back in 1996. New houses are up. Some of the oil rigs are torn down. And i still for the life of me cant find that little turn off where i saw the ghost cop. we were at the top of a hill. We could see the stop sign leading to riverdale. and about a block in each direction.

i have taken friends back there. But i need to tell you all if you do go to riverdale to check this out for yourself. Best time is during witching hour on halloween. Thats when me and my friends went. your more then likely to see the white lady too that day from what i hear. Still trying to find out what day she was killed cause that is another good day to visit too.. have fun

My mom used to live right off Riverdale and 104th. There was always weird stuff going on there. Some guy was knifed in the field on the corner. Another body was found in the parking lot. Maybe they're haunting the area. I stayed there for a few months and always got a creepy feeling at night.

There was one night that two guys were chasing each other in the parking lot. One guy with knife and yelling at the other guy about coming into his house and doing "that to my daughter." My cousin was there and we called the cops. When they showed up, there was no one around. Makes me wonder if this was a residual haunting of the guy that got knifed.

And on another night I had to go into work early. Went out around 3am and it was one of those times where everything was quiet, real quiet, and I immediately got goosebumps and actually ran to my car. It was just a feeling.